The Black Death
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate the reasons why the Black Death was so deadly.
Key learning points
- The actual cause of the Black Death was not understood at the time.
- One-third of Britain's population was killed by the Black Death.
- Many people believed the Black Death was a punishment from God.
- Medieval treatments were ineffective against the plague.
- Some people avoided plague by reducing contact with those who were infected.
Keywords
Epidemic - when a large number of people get the same disease over the same period of time
Bacteria - a type of germ which sometimes causes disease
Divine - related to God
Quarantine - when people are kept away from others because they have, or might have, a disease
Common misconception
There were no effective responses to the Black Death.
No effective treatments existed in the medieval period but some preventative methods, such as quarantines, could help protect people from plague.
Teacher tip
Get pupils to discuss the following in pairs or small groups: 'which aspect of medieval medicine does the Black Death suggest was most well-developed: explanations for disease, treatments or methods of prevention?'.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which ancient physician developed the Theory of the Four Humours?
Q2. described the idea that bad air could spread disease.
Q3.Which of these was a method used to prevent illness in the medieval period?
Q4. was a dangerous operation that involved drilling a hole in the skull.
Q5.Who could usually afford the help of a trained physician?
Q6.Local healers who treated the sick in villages were often called men or women.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How much of Britain's population died during the Black Death?
Q2.What is a situation where a large number of people get the same disease over the same period of time known as?
Q3.A involves people being kept away from others because they have or might have a disease.
Q4.What did most scholars claim caused the Black Death?
Q5.For each explanation used to say what caused the Black Death, identify the medical response it encouraged.
bloodletting
flagellation
street cleaning
Q6.Which statement is most accurate?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The Black Death, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The Black Death, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Britain: Health and the people - c1000 to the present day unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.